Union gives Chester a kick start (With Video, Slideshow)

CHESTER -- An excessive heat warning and a state of emergency in parts of the city did little to deter 18,500 fans from descending on PPL Park for the Philadelphia Union's official home opener Sunday.

The first-year soccer team bested the Seattle Sounders FC in a decisive 3-1 victory, much to the delight of Union fans -- many of whom started the party well before the first kick.

"Winning sends a message to rest of the league that we are legit, that we are here to win, we are here to stay and we are here to win championships forever and always," said Mt. Laurel, N.J., resident Massimo Pulcini, 19.

The Union's home-field victory will cement the Major League Soccer team into the hearts and minds of a win-centered Philadelphia sports culture, said Pulcini, a journalism student at Temple University.

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"If the Union starts winning, the rest of the region will hop on the bandwagon, because, let's be honest, in Philadelphia sports, they are a bunch of frontrunners. So this will give more credibility to the sport and the region as far as soccer goes," he said.

Although Chester Mayor Wendell N. Butler Jr. and city council recently extended a state of emergency due to a rash of murders, it did little to deter soccer fans from parking their vehicles in just about any lot they could find.

Cars lined the side of West Second Street from Townsend to Broomall Streets, while many Chester residents sold parking in empty lots for upward of $10 a space.

A parking lot across from William Penn Elementary School, near the Highland Gardens section of the city, was bustling with parked cars and excited fans.

One city man, who declined to give his name, said he made $200 in one hour by selling parking spaces in a grassy lot for $15 and bottles of water for $2.

Making the two-and-a-half-hour trek from New York City were Mya and Ezra Levine who, along with their parents, came to cheer on the team that their brother, Judah, works for in the front office.

"For the last couple years, I've been anticipating this day," said Ezra Levine, 22. "I've always wanted a franchise here in Philadelphia. I've always wanted to support the domestic soccer product and to be here in Chester, Pennsylvania, and to be watching the Philadelphia Union is just a dream come true for me."

Celebrating a Philadelphia victory was a good way to ease the pain of the U.S. men's loss to Ghana in the FIFA 2010 World Cup Saturday, he said.

"I think it would have been a little bit better if the U.S. team won," he said. "But I think this is a good way to get over the loss."

Since the Union's games are played more than once every four years, unlike the World Cup, the excitement will continue long into the future, he said.

"I think it would heighten the spirits of everyone," added his younger sister, Mya, 16. "I think it would give everyone just a great feeling about the Union for the future."

Club-level season-ticket holder Jeff Mangat agreed, saying the Union's win in the face of a U.S. World Cup loss gave soccer fever an opportunity to keep burning.

"(It's) nice to have another win going forward and get the season going in the new stadium," said Mangat, a New Castle County, Del., resident.

He was especially excited the winners carried a Philadelphia namesake -- and took it to the team that beat them earlier this year during their first game.

"I grew up playing soccer," he said. "It's a big deal to finally have something around here we can attend, especially in Philadelphia. I'm a big Philly supporter."

"This is the way soccer is, even if you go to international matches," said Calla, who grew up rooting for the former New York Cosmos soccer team. "This is the way the crowd looks. It's much different, I think, from baseball or football or hockey in this country. The fans really get into it. They dress up, they emulate their favorite players."

Sons of Ben fan group treasurer Thomas Roletter said the Union's first game at their new stadium was nothing short of a dream come true.

Boasting Union jerseys, scarves and face paint, Roletter said the group's devoted volunteers hosted a massive tailgate party for almost 700 members before the game.

"This was something that was part of our dream just before the team existed, just when we were the old-fashioned Sons of Ben, rooting for an MLS franchise to come into town," Roletter said.

"At the time, we said, 'Wouldn't it be cool if we got a team and then what we would have would be this incredible tailgate. It would just be this incredible party atmosphere.'"

Despite the group's enthusiasm for its team, many members would be pinching themselves throughout the game, making sure their dream was in fact reality, Roletter said.

Though the Mellow Yellow sports drink stand and the Turkey Hill ice cream truck were the most popular concessions in the blistering pregame heat, Chester-based Cheryl's Southern Style was still doing good business with mac-and-cheese and fried chicken near the Supporters Entrance.

"I think it's really going to be a good thing for the city," said soul food restaurateur Cheryl Stevens. "Everybody seems happy, everyone's having a good time. All the different races walking blocks through the city and everyone is smiling."

During the stadium's switch-on ceremony, Mayor Butler welcomed fans to a city of champions, boasting of the high school's impressive six basketball championships.

"The Union has to catch up to us," Butler said, laughing. "We're going to come on down here and cheer you on, and you know what, sooner or later, you are going to be champions. Then we are going to have a parade."